ORIENTATION ♔ WE LEAN ANOTHER LADDER AGAINST THE WRONG WALL

[socialgraces]

♬ Reasons Why - Nickel Creek

WHO || Francesca, Ethan Mavery, open if people want to bang into them, just threadjack wherever.
WHAT || Francesca meets with her squire
WHERE || Knight's HQ, the Dining Hall
WHEN || Friday later morning
HOW || Actionspam

[Francesca is waiting patiently at the table, casually sipping a cup of coffee. She had told Ethan the night before to meet her in the Dining Hall the next morning, but to make it late morning. The hall is empty except for her, and she looks strange sitting at the large table all by her lonesome. Or maybe she looks strange because she's wearing sunglasses inside. Either way, she's here, and now he is too.

She doesn't look up when he enters, her gaze still focused on the mug in her hand.]

Comments

[socialgraces]

[She turns to regard him with a raised eyebrow.] I beg to differ with you there. Perhaps you're just not attuned to it's physical presence.

And it's foolish to make such general assumptions of a vastly complex theory and practice. Like anything else, it can dangerous when in the wrong hands. Or do you have some personal grievance against magic that you feel can justify such claims?

[militarized]

[ He can tell when he's being chastised, and he'd rather just let it go than fight it out with her -- particularly given that there's nothing concrete to his prejudices. At least, not that he'd want to go over. ]

No, Ma'am. [ His tone is resigning -- the tone of a good soldier just acquiescing to his superior's request. ]

[socialgraces]

[She's surprised by his response and it's evident by her expression. She pauses and realizes she's actually enjoying this feeling. Maybe she should strive for a commanding position after all. Nah, she's too much of pushover 8|

Finally, words come to her.] Alright then. [She says quietly before moving on.] You'll have your official weapons training session in a few days, so you can try out whatever you'd like there and decide your best fit.

[And she can't think of a good segue, so she just jumps into what she thinks they should talk about next:] How would you rank your knowledge of Shadowkind?

[militarized]

High. I've dealt with them in the past. [ Are you starting to question how he's done so many things in his life when he looks late 20s, early 30s? Because it certainly doesn't add up. ]

[socialgraces]

[She doesn't question it because she looks even younger than him, and she's been around a long time. But there is something about him that she would like to have on record:] That's good. I figured you probably had some knowledge, having Shadowkind blood yourself.

[militarized]

[ That causes him to bristle considerably. He's never liked to think of himself as having Shadowkind blood, even if it's probably an accurate way of putting it. In fact, it makes him a little sick. ]

How do you figure?

[socialgraces]

[She looks taken aback by his question, and studies him for a moment with narrowed eyes.] You obviously have Elf blood. Somewhere along the lines of your lineage, there was a Faerunian native. [Hey now, she's very obviously Shadowkind. Tread lightly.]

[militarized]

No. [ His tone is stiff and unyielding. ] There wasn't.

[socialgraces]

Really? [She turns to face him, crossing her arms indignantly.] What is your problem? You hate magic, and Shadowkind, but you're here. Do you know what the Knights stand for? What we actually do?

[militarized]

With all due respect, Ma'am, you don't know me. [ He stops dead, but not short enough to keep from getting in her face. And by getting in her face it's a lot more like ... looming over her. ] I have my reasons for being here, same as you've got yours. Sir Gar led me to believe that'd be my business. It's not Shadowkind I've got issue with. So, kindly mind your business, and I'll mind mine.

[socialgraces]

[She seems quite unfazed by his intimidation, simply looking up to meet his face as he moves closer.] If you really don't want anyone to know anything about you, you're going about it all wrong. Before stepping into a castle filled with hundreds of people, you should have figured out exactly who you were going to be while you were here. [Yep. She'll turn this into a learning experience. Seems the best way to diffuse it. And she thinks he needs to learn a thing or two before acting like he's so special and interesting. Like no one else keeps secrets.]

Then it would have been wise to decide which pieces of information you were not going to share, no matter what, and do two things: convince yourself that the information is false, or doesn't exist, so there's no possible way you would bring it up; then, desensitize yourself to mentions of anything regarding it. Or else, like now, you're just giving yourself away. And I know your weak point and can further exploit it whenever I deem necessary.

Also, know who's important and who's not. That should be your first priority: knowing who to manipulate. Or, like now, I will say: Sir Gar told you that? I don't even know who that is, but they obviously doesn't know how it really works around here. Your business is our business. We don't want the liability of wild cards.

[militarized]

[ It actually does pretty effectively shut him up, because she makes some good points and it really is a teachable moment. He loosens up, seeming much less overbearing, but his lips draw into an uncomfortable, dissatisfied frown.

The worst part is that he did try to do that: he just didn't account for how familiar the knights of this castle were with Shadowkind. He didn't think they'd be able to recognize the elven traits in him and call him out on it. Hell, he liked to pretend it didn't exist, it made him forget to acknowledge that others might notice. He'd hoped to bury it. ]

I'm not interested in manipulating any of the knights here, if that's what you're asking. I just like my personal business personal. You know where I come from -- the RAF -- know what I can do, where I got my training. Know that I want the same things you do, and I've got some of the same enemies you do.

[socialgraces]

I wasn't threatening you. I was merely trying to make a point. And given everything I know of your training and experiences, I don't really know anything about you. Just because we have the same goals does not mean we have similar motivations. And our motivations are what truly define our actions, not the outcome.

Honestly, your personal business is not of much consequence to me. I was just trying to be friendly. Tell me, with those you've served with before, what made you comrades as opposed to just allies?

[militarized]

Time. Shared experiences. Coming from the same place. You spend enough time around people, you begin to rely on them, consider them your family. [ And now he had no family. ] I haven't had personal business since I lost them, Ma'am, so you'll have to excuse me for not being particularly eager to talk about it.

[socialgraces]

No excuses necessary, I assure you. [She gives him a comforting smile.] I can also ensure you that camaraderie is something we take very seriously here. If you choose this life, your fellow Knights will come to think of you as family in much the same way. Hopefully you'll come to trust and depend on them. But, as you said, this all takes time.

For many of us, this is the only family we've ever known, or at least remember. Those who have traveled through the Veil, for example, have lost a considerable amount. No one will begrudge you your reservations, or your grief.

However, they might resent you for making discriminatory or offensive remarks. [RE: Previous disgust with being referred to as Shadowkind. But her tone is significantly lighter now -- almost teasing.]

Shall we move on? There's still another floor to explore. [She starts towards the door, not waiting for his reply.]

[militarized]

[ He swallows and gives a nod. He doesn't laugh at the levity of her remark, even though it could easily come as a joke. He can't laugh at it. He can't feel anything but disgust and frustration for it. It didn't mean judging Shadowkind when he met them -- just when it was tied back to him.

He follows after her as she starts for the door. ]

How long have you been with the knighthood? You seem pretty comfortable, and I'm taking a wild guess in saying you were once one of those who came through the Veil yourself. [ It doesn't seem like a big leap -- most Shadowkind did, except those who had been grandfathered into this world, who Ethan was realizing were becoming more and more common as time wore on. But, given the kind of interaction that the Knighthood had with people who had just come through the Veil ... it made sense that most of the Shadowkind who were a part of it would be first generation. ]

[socialgraces]

[She pauses for him to catch up, but keeps moving once he's at her side. She nods to his questions.] I arrived in this world, after traveling through the Veil, in 1904. I landed in Italy, right in the center of Naples. Not a very friendly place, especially for Shadowkind. Then and now.

I had no recollection of any events in my life before that point, save my name and my birth-date. It's a feeling beyond strange, total amnesia. It leaves you so lost, but you can't remember ever not feeling lost, so it's not as off-putting as you might think. You don't really know what you're missing.

Anyway, I was only on my own for about two days before I ran into a member of the Knights -- who's still a living member, actually -- and they brought me back here, to England. And I've been a Knight ever since. So, 108 years as of this summer. [She seems very nostalgic about the last part, a warm smile touching her face.

She leads them to the main staircase.]

[militarized]

Which member of the knights? Figure if they're still a member, I might run into them. [ He raises an eyebrow at that. 108 years of service. It's strange for him to consider, though he keeps the look out of his face, that he might have that ahead of him as well. ]

[socialgraces]

You probably will run into him. [She's actually surprised they haven't already. But that's another reason she decided to compromise on the time -- she's sure he's sleeping right now.] It was Christos La Krail. He saved my life, actually, when we first met. [She's trying to contain a beaming smile, but mostly failing. It's her favorite story to tell.] And I was his squire all those years ago. We're still good friends, so I'll have to introduce you when you're both around. [She starts up the stairs.]

[militarized]

[ He follows her up the stairs. ]

Maybe I can get the story out of him if he's the bragging type while we're at it.

[socialgraces]

[She snorts.] I don't know if I'd call him the bragging type [Lies. But she's a loyal friend, ok?] but you should ask him. His recount of it would probably be better than mine.

Alright, up here there's the Dragon's Hide, Dragon's Tongue and Dragon's Light sections, as well as a theater for both stage and screen productions, the training rooms and weapon storage, a small pub and a bowling alley. [She pauses to consider.] I'm sure I'm forgetting some other things as well, but you're discover them eventually anyway I'm sure. [She turns to him.] Any of the things I've mentioned sound intriguing to you?

Oh, [She interjects before he has a chance to answer] the Dragon's Hide is our fighter branch, the Dragon's Tongue consists of diplomats and those skilled in dealing with people, and the Dragon's Light is our cleric and healer department.

Anyway, is there anything you'd specifically like to explore?

[militarized]

Wouldn't mind checking out the training rooms. You keep your training indoors? [ It's a curious choice -- less curious given that it's England, but the army always considered England's shitty weather to be, well, advantageous. Train in shitty weather, you'll perform better out of it, and no one has shittier weather than England. ]

[socialgraces]

[We train for our own benefit, not the government's, so we get to do it in comfort.] Yes, partly for convenience, but mostly because this castle is not publicly known as a secret organization's headquarters. It might look even more suspicious with training grounds and shooting ranges in the backyard.

[She starts down towards the training rooms.] I'm glad you choose to go to the training rooms though. I'm interested to see what you've got, in terms of combat skills. To see what I'm working with. [She gives him a wry grin without turning to look at him.]

[militarized]

[ Makes sense. He gives a nod, then a smirk creeps up around the corners of his mouth at her challenge. ] I didn't do much hand-to-hand. Hope you're not disappointed. [ Granted, he still had all the training that anyone in the RAF would get -- he just hadn't really had cause to use it back then. ]

[socialgraces]

Well, I didn't expect you to actually be able to hold your own against me anyway. [She says flippantly, as her 5'2", 100-pound frame moves to swipe her access card and the door opens.] Do you have any training with a specific melee weapon? Or just unarmed combat?

[militarized]

[ Look, her size means nothing. He's occasionally sexist, but not stupid. She wouldn't be a knight if she couldn't kick his ass. ]

Firearms and unarmed combat only, Ma'am.

[socialgraces]

[You'd be surprised.] Alright, then let's go to the shooting range first.

[She leads the way, using her access card yet again to open another locked entry. Once inside, she acquires a handgun for him and herself, loading her own but keeping the safety on. She waits for him to do the same before grabbing them both those standard earmuffs. She nods for him to step up and shoot first.]

[militarized]

[ He takes the gun from her and loads it, then takes the earmuffs as well and slips them on as he steps up to the targeting area. He raises his weapon, and squeezes the trigger on the exhale. Two clean shots -- the first in the upper chest cavity, just to the side of the heart, and the second in the center of the paper man's head. Double tap. ]

[socialgraces]

[She regards his technique with an expression of satisfaction.] Very nice. I think you're more than qualified to carry one of these. [She eyes the gun in her own hand.] I'll be sure to pass the word on.

[She wasn't sure if she'd need to show him any pointers, but now realizing that she doesn't, she sets her gun down, ready to unload and store it again.] Are there any other weapons you'd like official clearance with?

[militarized]

Funny. Equipment orientation yesterday didn't lead me to believe we needed clearance. [ He raises an eyebrow as he lowers the weapon back to the counter. ] Excalibur pistols handed out standard issue to anyone who can get through the doors around here. [ His disapproval's obvious. ]

[socialgraces]

Well, that's one reason you're squired to a full member of the Knighthood. Besides, Wynn's an excellent judge of character. Not that that makes one proficient with a handgun, but it helps me sleep at night trusting there isn't an unstable miscreant running around the castle with a free, loaded pistol.

And with the work we're often assigned to do, it's more irresponsible and unfair to not give each one of our members a proper way to defend themselves.

Besides, aren't firearms standard issue to each new military recruit? I thought you'd be used to the system.